He said, “I love you, but I know this other man loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other man that my husband wanted me to visit was my Father, who has been a widower for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit him only occasionally.

That night I called to invite him to go out for dinner and a movie.

“What’s wrong, are you well,” he asked?  My Father is the type of man who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

“I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded” just the two of us.”  He thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick him up I was a bit nervous.  When I arrived at his house, I noticed that he, too, seemed to be nervous about our date.  He waited in the door with his coat on.  He was wearing his best suit.

He smiled for a face that w as a radiant as an angel’s.  “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my daughter, and they were impressed,” he said, as he got into the car.  “They can’t wait to hear about our date.”

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy.  My Father held out his arm and I took it as if I were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu.  His eyes could only read large print.  Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Father sitting there staring at me.  A nostalgic smile was on his lips.

“It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” he said.  “Then, it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded.  During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life.  We talked so much that we missed the movie.  As we arrived at his house later, he said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.”  I agreed.

“How was your dinner date?” asked my husband when I got home.  “Very nice, Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.

A few days later, My Father died of a massive heart attack.  It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for him.  Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Father and I had  dined.  An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance.  I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your husband.  You will never know what that night meant for me.

“Daughter, I love you.

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I Love YOU. And to give your loved ones the time that they deserve.  Nothing in life is more important than your family.  Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”

Somebody said it take about six weeks to get back to normal after you’ve had a baby…Somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a Father, “normal” is history.

Somebody said you can’t love the second child as much as you love the first…somebody doesn’t have two or more children.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a Father is providing for your children…somebody never watched his “baby” get on the bust for the first day of kindergarten…or on a plane headed for military “boot camp.”

Somebody said a Father can stop worrying after his child gets married…somebody doesn’t know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a Father’s heartstrings.

Somebody said a Father’s job is done when his last child leaves home…somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your Father knows you love him, so you don’t need to tell him…somebody isn’t a Father.

Pass this along to all the “Fathers” in your life and to everyone who ever had a father.

This isn’t just about being a Father; it’s about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them…no matter who that person is.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words, Watch your Words, they become actions.  Watch your Actions, they become habits.  Watch your Habits, they become character.  Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.

“Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”.